Cantaloupe, Burpee's Ambrosia Hybrid

Short Description

Our top-selling cantaloupe for over 20 years.

Full Description

Burpee's Ambrosia has been our top-selling cantaloupe for over 20 years because of its luscious, extra-sweet taste, juiciness and nectarous aroma. The tick, firm, flesh is delicious right down to the rind. The 6" melons average 5 lb. each. Vines yield bumper crops and are mildew-resistant

Days To Maturity
The average number of days from when the plant is actively growing in the garden to the expected time of harvest.

86 days

Fruit Weight
The average weight of the fruit produced by this product.

5 pounds

Sun
The amount of sunlight this product needs daily in order to perform well in the garden. Full sun means 6 hours of direct sun per day; partial sun means 2-4 hours of direct sun per day; shade means little or no direct sun.

Full Sun

Spread
The width of the plant at maturity.

36-72 inches

Height
The typical height of this product at maturity.

15-18 inches

Sow Method
This refers to whether the seed should be sown early indoors and the seedlings transplanted outside later, or if the seed should be sown directly in the garden at the recommended planting time.

Direct sowing is recommended, but to get a head start you can start melons indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost in individual biodegradable pots indoors. Sow 2-3 seeds per pot.

Sow seeds ½ inches deep in seed-starting formula

Keep the soil moist at 70 degrees F

Seedlings emerge in 7-14 days

As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. Incandescent bulbs will not work for this process because they will get too hot. Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours.

Seedlings do not need much fertilizer, feed when they are 3-4 weeks old using a starter solution (half strength of a complete indoor houseplant food) according to manufacturer’s directions.

Thin to one plant per pot.

Before planting in the garden, seedling plants need to be “hardened off”. Accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. If frost threatens at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out again in the morning. This hardening off process toughens the plant’s cell structure and reduces transplant shock and scalding.

Sowing Directly in the Garden

Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 8 inches. Level with a rake to remove clumps of grass and stones.

Thin to 3 or 4 strongest seedlings in each group when they are 1-2 inches high.

How to Grow

Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating.

Melons have a shallow root system, mulches help retain soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures.

Keep plants well-watered during the growing season, especially during dry spells. Plants need about 1-2 inches of rain per week during the growing season. Use a rain gauge to check to see if you need to add water. It's best to water with a drip or trickle system that delivers water at low pressure at the soil level. If you water with overhead sprinklers, water early in the day so the foliage has time to dry off before evening, to minimize disease problems. Keep the soil moist but not saturated.

As plants grow, mulch to control weeds, keep fruits off the ground and conserve moisture.

Do not move the vines, they are easily injured.

To prevent diseases keep melons off the ground.

Monitor for pests and diseases. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Service for pest controls recommended for your area.

Harvest & Preserving

Allow your melons to ripen on the vine. In general fruits are ripe when they smell aromatic and when stems start to crack and the fruit slips off easily with light pressure from your thumb.

Harvest cantaloupes when the fruits change from green to yellow or tan and they break away easily from the vine.

Harvest winter melons when they turn the appropriate color and their blossom ends are soft.

Honeydew melons are ripe when the skin turns to a creamy yellow color and the blossom end is slightly soft. To avoid damage, cut the honeydew off the vine with sharp shears.

Watermelons are ready to harvest when their undersides turn from white to a creamy yellow. The tendrils closest to the fruit will also turn brown and dry up and the skin will become dull and hard at harvest time.

For best flavor eat at room temperature.

Melons may be stored in the refrigerator for a short time. They will lose their flavor and color if stored too long.

Product Details

Days To Maturity

86 days

Fruit Weight

5 pounds

Sun

Full Sun

Spread

36-72 inches

Height

15-18 inches

Sow Method

Direct Sow

Planting Time

Summer

Sow Time

After Last Frost

Thin

36 inches

Life Cycle

Annual

Reviews

Cantaloupe, Burpee's Ambrosia Hybrid is rated
4.5 out of
5 by
35.

Rated 5 out of
5 by
matterman from
Sweetest Cantaloupe EverFirst time to try cantaloupe. Item was to spread 36-72 inches, mine approached 25 feet. Grew 8 vines and 13 cantaloupes matured. I would definitely recommend to anyone, if you have enough space. I gave several to friends and they raved about the taste.

Date published: 2016-09-21

Rated 5 out of
5 by
teehoff from
Great taste!We have planted Burpee's Ambrosia Cantaloupe for a few years now. No other cantaloupe taste as good. They are easy to grow and easier to eat!

Date published: 2016-09-15

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Super J from
SAMEWe grew these Ambrosia as a child. Still just as good. The raccoons love them as well.

Date published: 2016-09-15

Rated 5 out of
5 by
dirtdabber from
Sweet AmbrosiaSuperb!! I grew the Ambrosia Hybrid Cantaloupe for the first time this summer, in a container; and I must say, I was thoroughly pleased with the taste and size of the fruit. I'm sure this will be a staple in my garden.

Date published: 2014-09-18

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Fruit4Thought from
Sets a high bar for all other melons!I have been growing 'Ambrosia' for 30+ years. If the weather is warm, sunny, and relatively dry, 'Ambrosia' produces the most flavorful, sweet melons with a nice musky flavor. Unfortunately, the fruit do no hold up too well in the refrigerator,because the flesh is fairly soft. Nevertheless, I would highly recommend that everyone give this melon a try because you will never find anything like it in a supermarket. During wet summers, the flesh will not be as sweet, but it still has nice flavor. 'Ambrosia's soft aromatic fruit are also highly attractive to deer.

Date published: 2013-08-31

Rated 5 out of
5 by
steveNvegas from
Awesome CantaloupeEasy to grow in my super hot Las Vegas area. grows fast and has a super sweet taste. cant go wrong with this awesome plant.

Date published: 2013-08-28

Rated 5 out of
5 by
GAGardeningGal from
Heavenly!This is the only cantaloupe that I grow now because it is the sweetest, most incredible tasting cantaloupe I've ever eaten. I share my cantaloupes with neighbors and friends, and they agree that it's the best cantaloupe they've ever tasted in their lives. Excellent germination with Burpee seeds, healthy vines, and some heavenly tasting cantaloupes---what more could a gardener ask for? No wonder it's Burpee's top selling cantaloupe!

Date published: 2013-04-10

Rated 1 out of
5 by
farmergal from
Ambrosia CanteloupeThis is the second summer I have planted Ambrosia. My family raised Ambrosia, producing big, beautiful mellons with a flavor that truly was equal to their name. No such success for me this year or last. The vines grew well, bloomed well, and set plenty of fruit. There were a few that were realy flavorful, but the majority were had very little flavor. I will try a new variety next year.